The habit of getting angry

The ‘anger habit' includes the tendency to experience temper tantrums, angry feelings, feelings of on-going frustration, resentment, irritability, etc.

We call it a habit because it is a habitual way of behaving and responding to circumstances of which we disapprove. And because it is ‘something which I do’ rather than ‘how I am' - in other words ‘I am not an angry person’ but rather ‘I am someone who habitually responds to situations with angry feelings’.

Just what is anger?

Anger is a feeling which some of us experience when events in our world are not going according to our plans. Usually we have an idea of how things, events and people should be - and when they don't march to our tune we get angry and either feel frustrated and simmer or we try to change the events or people.

This approach works fine, up to a point, until we are about four or five years old. After this it becomes less effective: the rest of the world gradually stops indulging us as we grow up.

But that doesn't stop many of us remaining a victim to our tempers all of our lives.

So, in essence, anger is the feeling we get when we feel driven to control the world about us. It's a pretty childish emotion - since no one person can or will ever be able to control everyone else in the world - or even in one's own family.

We know that. But usually don't know what to about it - so we carry on trying!

What angry feelings can do

The habit of feeling angry a lot of the time can control your life. It can damage your health, ruin peace of mind, spoil your relationships, jeopardise your career - and even cost you your liberty if, for example, a violent temper or a furious outburst results in a prison sentence.

Blog article about the Anger Habit

Follow-up article about the Anger Habit

Check out our not-too-serious anger poll

Important: please read our caution regarding online advice

The habit of getting angry

Just what is anger?

What angry feelings can do

The Anger Habit